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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Seren/Eleri

62 replies

MissTriangle · 13/11/2012 08:54

I am due in 3 weeks with DD2. I am English and DH is Welsh, but we live in England. He is adamant that we use a welsh name this time, as DD1 has a English name that was my choice.
I think we have narrowed it down to 2, just wondering which you prefer.

Seren Elizabeth
Eleri Jane

Thanks.

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Cezella · 14/11/2012 00:22

Where I live in North Wales, there are lots of Eleris- I know seven and nine of them place emphasis on the El-air-i as someone up thread said. I'm not disputing that it could be one way of pronouncing it but in this (very welsh) area- Eleri is a lot closer to celery than El-air-i although its not quite either

EMS23 · 13/11/2012 13:02

I have an 8 week old Seren. I live in South Wales and it is very popular but I don't mind that. I think it's a beautiful name.
It's not considered chavvy here (I researched that - ie did a thread on MN asking if it is and the majority said no, it's not!!).

squoosh · 13/11/2012 12:58

Carys is so pretty.

Original poster
MissTriangle · 13/11/2012 12:56

Thanks for your opinions- I wanted honest ones so am happy enough. Other suggestions are welcome too. Will suggest them to DH to see what he thinks. DD1 was very nearly called Carys Anwen before I changed my mind, so there are other welsh names I like.
I didn't realise that Seren was so popular TBH, I know one who is 2 but that's it. But then again we are in England.
I think I would kick myself in years to come if DD2 was teased and called a stick of celery. (although i guess it could be a hell lot worse!) but she might not be...
Names are so hard!

OP posts:
squoosh · 13/11/2012 12:11

I think you're being oversensitive, there is no anti Welsh agenda. Every name on this forum comes in for a bashing, be a that a mini bashing or a mega bashing.

People are giving honest opinion, that's all.

flossyfloo · 13/11/2012 12:08

Other Welsh names that would work in England are
Bethan
Catrin (although may get called Catherine instead)
Carys
Cerys
Elin (but may have to spell it constantly)
Erin
Gwen
Menna
Nerys
Nia
Rhian/Rhiannon

Sorry, tell me to shut up if you don't want any more suggestions!

FellatioNelson · 13/11/2012 12:07

It will only get the celery gags while it remains unusual - once they start to filter into playgroups and schools people will get used to the name and know how to spell/say it.

goralka · 13/11/2012 12:06

nobody has criticised these names for being Welsh, just given their opinion, as asked.

FellatioNelson · 13/11/2012 12:06

I think they are both lovely but they get mentioned A LOT on MN these past couple of years. I think a Welsh and Cornish trend is taking over from the Scots/Irish trend of the past 15 years, and you can expect both those names to be very popular to the point of ubiquitous soon. If that does not matter to you then go for it - they are both very pretty.

Alisvolatpropiis · 13/11/2012 12:03

Why is there so much critiscm of Welsh names? Nobody says the same kind of things about Gaelic or Asian names.

On the names front,the only person I ever knew to get bullied for his name was called Daniel. Yes,Daniel. He was a couple of years older than me in primary school and people called him "Daniel,Daniel cocker spaniel" (He had big ears) He used to get very upset. Who'd have thought that Daniel was a name you could be tease with?

flossyfloo · 13/11/2012 12:02

Eleri will definitely get pronounced wrong is England and she will forever be correcting people. It's a shame cos it's a lovely name.

I liked Seren about 5 years ago when it wasn't so well known but it is overused now. Well, it is in Wales, but I guess not so much over the border and at least English people will be able to pronounce it.

I like the suggestion of Manon above, I also like Mali (even though you weren't asking for any other names to be added to your list!) Smile

maxmillie · 13/11/2012 11:58

i really like both. I really don't think kids gets teased about their names anymore - there is simply so much variety out there now, with lots more childeren for diifferent countries that it all seems normal.

My dc often come home and mention children with names that make me do a double take, and they don't bat an eyelid.

squoosh · 13/11/2012 11:55

An Eleri living in England will get many celery gags. Even pronounced correctly it sounds like 'hilarious'.

'That Eleri is 'ilarious.'

Cherrypieplum · 13/11/2012 11:53

Both are lovely but Seren is very popular (though not chavvy based on the many,many Serens I know).

I would reiterate that Eleri is nothing like celery!
El-air-ee. Beautiful and I wanted it for my DD but hubby couldn't say it. It has potential for being mangled. A colleague in work often misprounced the name and set my teeth on edge!

goralka · 13/11/2012 11:49

Eleri is lovely but in England I am afraid it will rhyme with celery and be annoying.
How about Manon? Such a pretty name....?

goralka · 13/11/2012 11:46

sorry I don't like Seren it is Welsh chav-tastic

Alisvolatpropiis · 13/11/2012 11:44

I rather like Eleri,it's more unusual than Seren in Wales by a mile! Or it is where I live. Seren is becoming this decades Megan.

BarbecuedBillygoats · 13/11/2012 11:31

Eleri

That and Eira were on my list

Ebb · 13/11/2012 11:29

Could you use two middle names Seren Eleri Jane?

Pasiphae · 13/11/2012 11:17

Eleri Jane is so nice, though.
Seren seems to be the Welsh girl name of the moment. Eleri is different and with Jane, it looks rather elegant.

Original poster
MissTriangle · 13/11/2012 11:15

Thanks for your comments everyone.
Ebb, I don't mean to be disappointed at all as I do love both names. But OH really wants to use Jane as a middle name after his gran who recently passed away. (DD1 has my grans name as a middle name) but I don't like Seren Jane! I think they almost flow into one another to make one word.
But Seren Elizabeth sounds good.

OP posts:
campergirls · 13/11/2012 11:08

An English person pronoucing Eleri as celery would NOT be doing a good job! Stress in 'celery' falls on the first syllable, in Eleri it's on the second. That makes a big difference.

Ebb · 13/11/2012 10:51

You sound a bit disappointed that people seem to prefer Seren? Smile If you love/prefer Eleri then you should go with that.

FriggFRIGG · 13/11/2012 10:49

Seren!

Dontbesodramatic · 13/11/2012 10:44

I really like both but like Seren that little bit more.

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